Muscat, Oman: Iran has announced that negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz have reached the final stage, while U.S. President Donald Trump said an agreement to reopen the strategic waterway could be announced within days.
The development has raised hopes of easing disruptions to global shipping and stabilising energy markets after months of conflict in the region.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the draft agreement is in its final stage and that a joint statement could be issued if there is no interference from other parties. According to regional officials familiar with the negotiations, Iranian and Omani representatives have finalised a draft agreement, which is awaiting final approval from Iran's leadership.
The proposed deal is expected to focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Before the conflict, nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passed through the strait.
However, officials said the agreement is likely to be linked to broader negotiations between the United States and Iran, including discussions on sanctions, port access, and Tehran's nuclear programme.
President Trump indicated that progress had been made in the negotiations, saying a deal could be announced "tomorrow or the next day." The White House has maintained that it opposes any arrangement that would allow Iran to permanently control or charge transit fees for international shipping through the strait.
Despite optimism surrounding the talks, tensions in the region remain high. Shipping security continues to be a concern, with reports of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for fresh missile attacks targeting Saudi-linked shipping.
Global energy markets are closely monitoring the negotiations, as reopening the Strait of Hormuz could help stabilise oil supplies, reduce shipping disruptions, and ease pressure on fuel prices worldwide. However, officials cautioned that the agreement has not yet been finalised and key issues remain under discussion.
